Comparative Literature: 2009-2010

The study of comparative literature situates literature in an international perspective, examines connections between literary history, literary criticism, critical theory, and poetics, and works toward an understanding of the sociocultural functions of literature. Interpretive methods from other disciplines that interrogate cultural discourses also play a role in the comparative study of literature; among these are philosophy, history, religion, classical and area studies, Africana studies, gender studies, cultural studies, music, and the history of art.

Comparative literature students are required to have a reading knowledge of at least one foreign language adequate to the advanced study of literature in that language. Some comparative literature courses may require reading knowledge of a foreign language as a prerequisite for admission. Students considering graduate work in comparative literature should also study a second foreign language.

At Bryn Mawr College:Fairbanks Professor in the Humanities and Professor of German and Comparative LiteratureAzade Seyhan Professor of Russian and Comparative LiteratureElizabeth C. Allen Professor of Spanish María Cristina Quintero Associate Professor of FrenchFrancis HigginsonAssociate Professor of History of ArtHomay King Associate Professor of English Bethany Schneider Assistant Professor of ItalianRoberta Ricci

Comparative Literature 200: Introduction to Comparative Literature, normally taken by the spring of the sophomore year; six advanced literature courses in the original languages (normally at the 200 level or above), balanced between two literature departments (of which English may be one): at least two of these (one in each literature) must be at the 300 level or above, or its equivalent as approved in advance by the advisor; one course in critical theory; two electives in comparative literature; Comparative Literature 398: Theories and Methods in Comparative Literature; and 399: Senior Seminar in Comparative Literature. Courses in comparative literature may be drawn from a variety of departments. A listing of current courses appears each year in the Bi-College Course Guide. Students interested in pursuing a comparative literature major should discuss their preparation and program of courses with the comparative literature chairperson early in their first or second year at the college.

Comparative Literature 200 and 398, plus four advanced literature courses in the original languages (normally at the 200 level or above) divided between two literature departments, of which English may be one. At least one course of these four must be at the 300 level. Students who minor are encouraged to choose their national literature courses from those with a comparative component.

Students who, in the judgment of the Advisory Committee in Comparative Literature, have done distinguished work in their comparative literature courses and in the Senior Seminar will be considered for Departmental Honors.

203 Writing the Jewish Trajectories in Latin America HU (Cross-listed in Spanish and Latin American and Iberian Studies)G.MichelottiPrerequisite: Spanish 102, placement, or consent.

204 The European Bildungsroman HUA.Hartz
Explores the popular 19th C form of the novel known as the Bildungsroman, or the novel of character development. We will read French, British, and German novels that focus on a character's search for self-fulfillment, asking, among other things, what role the Bildungsroman plays in the history of the novel. Authors may include Goethe, Dickens, Flaubert, Eliot, Hardy, and Gide.

205 Studies in the Spanish American Novel HU (Cross-listed in Spanish and Latin American and Iberian Studies)G.MichelottiPrerequisite: Span 102, placement, or consent.

207 Fictions of Spanish American History HU (Cross-listed in Spanish)R. Castillo SandovalPrerequisite: Spanish 102, placement, or consent of the instructor.

232 Inquiring Minds: Inquisition, Writing, and the Early Modern Subject HU (Cross-listed in Spanish and Latin American and Iberian Studies)I.BurshatinPrerequisite: SPAN102, placement, or consent of the instructor.

235 Spanish American Theater HU (Cross-listed in Spanish)G.MichelottiPrerequisite: SPAN 102, placement, or consent of the instructor.

240 As the World Turned: Milton and Early Modern Revolutions HU (Cross-listed in English)D.SedleyPrerequisite: Freshman Writing

241 Anthropology of the Mediterranean: Seminar on Greece SO (Cross-listed in Anthropology and Latin American and Iberian Studies)
L.HartTypically offered in alternate years.

250 Quixotic Narratives HU (Cross-listed in Spanish and Latin American and Iberian Studies)I.Burshatin

251 Music, Film, and Narrative HU (Cross-listed in Music)R. FreedmanPrerequisite: Music 203 or equivalent knowledge of music theory.

255 Cinema et colonialisme HU (Cross-listed in French and African and Africana Studies)K.Anyinefa

258 Re-imagining the City: Berlin and Vienna in Literature and Film HU (Cross-listed in German)H.SchlipphackePrerequisite: Sophomore standing

262 The Male Body in Contemporary Cinema HU (Cross-listed in German and Gender and Sexuality Studies)H.Schlipphacke

266 Iberian Orientalism and the Nation HU (Cross-listed in Spanish and Latin American and Iberian Studies and African and Africana Studies)I.BurshatinPrerequisite: Freshman Writing or Span 102 or consent.

289 Children's Literature HU
D.Roberts
This course investigates the beginnings, selected historical developments, and some of the varieties of literature for children, and asks questions about the distinctiveness of such literature, its aims and its presumed readership, and the applicability of particular theoretical approaches to children s books. We will look at folk tale and fairy tale, early examples of literature specifically for children, some particularly influential texts, and examples from several sub-genres of children s literature; we will also spend a week each on picture books and poetry for children. Discussion will focus both on the texts themselves and on critical issues of various kinds. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or above. Preference to COML majors, ENGL majors, and those minoring in EDUC or Teacher Cert Pgm.

290 History of Literary Theory: Plato to Shelley HU (Cross-listed in Classical Studies and English)D.Roberts/R.GermanyPrerequisite: Sophomore standing or above. Typically offered in alternate years.

293 Translation and other Transformations: Theory and Practice HU (Cross-listed in Classical Studies)D.Roberts
An exploration of the theory and practice of translation (both historical and current) and of other forms of rewriting. Theoretical readings include works by Dryden, Schleiermacher, Arnold, Benjamin, Venuti, and others; examples of translation will be drawn from a variety of texts in different languages. Students will have the opportunity to work on translation projects of their own. Prerequisite: Students must be at least at the intermediate level in at least one language other than English.

295 Interpretation and the Other: Meaning, Understanding and Alterity HU (Cross-listed in English and Philosophy and Religion)D.Dawson, S.FinleyOffered occasionally.

301 Topics in Medieval English Literature HU (Cross-listed in English and Gender and Sexuality Studies)
M.McInerneyPrerequisite: Two courses in Engl at the 200 level or consent of instructor.

302 Speaking in Tongues HU (Cross-listed in English and Gender and Sexuality Studies)M.McInerneyPrerequisite: Two 200-level courses in English.

320 Spanish American Colonial Writings HU (Cross-listed in Spanish and Latin American and Iberian Studies)R.Castillo SandovalPrerequisite: One 200-level Spanish course or consent.

321 Topics in German Literature: Literature and New Media: From the Gutenberg-Galaxy to Cyberspace HU (Cross-listed in German)U.Schönherr

322 Politics of Memory in Latin America HU (Cross-listed in Spanish)A.Gomez UnamunoPrerequisite: Spanish 200 level, or consent of the instructor.

323 Inquiring Minds: Inquisition, writing, and the early modern subject HU (Cross-listed in Spanish and Latin American and Iberian Studies)I.BurshatinPrerequisite: Spanish 200-level or consent of the instructor

334 Gender Dissidence in Hispanic Writing HU (Cross-listed in Spanish and Gender and Sexuality Studies and Latin American and Iberian Studies)I.BurshatinPrerequisite: A 200 level course or consent of the instructor.

343 The Latin American City and its Narratives. HU (Cross-listed in Spanish and Latin American and Iberian Studies)G.MichelottiPrerequisite: A 200 level course, or consent of the instructor.

352 Evita and Her Sisters HU (Cross-listed in Spanish and Gender and Sexuality Studies and Latin American and Iberian Studies)G.MichelottiPrerequisite: A 200 level course or consent of the instructor.

359 Music - Text - Performance HU (Cross-listed in German)U.SchönherrPrerequisite: One 200-level course in the Humanities.

381 Textual Politics: Marxism, Feminism, and the Deconstruction HU (Cross-listed in English and Gender and Sexuality Studies)E.BianchiPrerequisite: Two 200-level courses in Engl or consent.

382 On the Sublime HU (Cross-listed in English)D.ShermanPrerequisite: Two courses in English at the 200 level or permission of instructor

385 Popular Culture, Cultural Identity and the Arts in Latin American HU (Cross-listed in Spanish and Latin American and Iberian Studies)R.Castillo SandovalPrerequisite: A 200 level course or consent of instructor.

388 Problems in Narrative: Obsession, Trauma, Hysteria, Oblivion, Bliss HU (Cross-listed in English)K.BenstonPrerequisite: Two courses in English at 200 level or consent.

389 Problems in Poetics: The Interpretation of Lyric HU (Cross-listed in English)K.BenstonPrerequisite: Two courses in English at the 200 level or permission of instructor

398 Theories and Methods in Comparative Literature HUD.Sedley
Advanced work in the history and problems of comparative literature. Prerequisite: Open only to students majoring or minoring in Comp Lit. Occasionally open, with permission, to Jr. Comp Lit majors who plan to study away Typically offered yearly in alternation with Bryn Mawr.

399 Senior Seminar HUR.Castillo Sandoval, A.Seyhan
Oral and written presentations of work in progress, culminating in a senior thesis and comprehensive oral examination.

TOPICS COURSES
The prerequisite for all 300-level topics courses is two courses in English at the 200 level or permission of instructor, unless otherwise indicated. Courses vary from year to year and include the following: